alvie's genealogy spot

Friday, July 10, 2009

Vacation in the Rocky Mountains

Here is where everyone should spend some time to just unwind and relax. I love bluegrass music. After finding out about an annual festival in Westcliffe, CO I made reservations for my wife and I to attend the 2009 High Mountain Hay Fever festival, July 9-12. We had a difficult time getting housing but finally found a cabin about 9 miles into the mountains at a place called Alpine Lodge. Wonderful scenery in all directions. This lodge operates a small restaurant and their food is superb. They mostly serve dinner either indoors or on a patio overlooking the valley below.

Our travel from Florida to Denver, CO was by Amtrak. We had our own private sleeper compartment with all meals provided. After arrival in Denver we visited with a friend over breakfast and rose early the next morning for a 3 hr drive to Westcliffe. The picture above was taken just a few minutes outside of Westcliffe along a narrow two lane road.

I will be posting more pictures in later additions to my blog.

Now it is time to head for the bluegrass presentation to hear such groups as Dry Branch Fire Squad (my favorite), The Sullivan Family, The Country Gentlemen, and others. The weather is so conducive to good times...about 50 degrees at night and about 80 degrees in the daytime.

We are here to relax and enjoy the time away from the rush-rush of our everyday life in Lakeland. Will be back in FL about July 25th.